Additional considerations which affect the true cost of raising dogs and cats are additives, supplements, hygiene, clean up, litter size, body condition and veterinary care.  The only formula that matters and won't deceive you is:

Total cost per day per dog or cat = True Cost

1.  Generic commercial rations -- canned, dry, semi-moist

The predominate ingredients are always plant matter; usually corn, soy, wheat, barley, rice with some cooked meat meals. 

These are the rations, along with table scraps and junk food treats, that cause many of the nutritionally deficient maladies of today's captive pets.  These conditions include weight problems, skin and coat problems, digestive problems, large stool volume, odor problems and urinary problems just to name a few.

2.  Premium commercial rations -- canned, dry

The predominant ingredients are usually cooked meat meals such as meat and bone meal, chicken by-product meal, fish meal along with plant matter such as corn and soybean meal, etc. 

These rations, though somewhat more digestible, are still lacking many of the natural nutrients that were once there, due to the extreme temperatures reached during their cooking processes.  Yes processes, the meat meals are cooked twice, relieving them of many nutrients long before they reach the animal's digestive juices.

3.  Scientifically formulated rations -- canned, dry

The predominant ingredients are very similar to the premium rations with varying formulas to treat specific ailments usually caused by either of the first two rations.

These rations are cooked, some ingredients double cooked and often fall short of their intended goal.

4.  Fresh meat diets  -- preserved by freezing or freeze drying

The predominate ingredients are fresh muscle meat and meat by-products which include tripe, liver, lungs, hearts, kidneys, spleens and other organ meats which are the first choice of non-captive carnivores (dogs, cats, etc.) in the wild.  Small amounts of plant matter are added to balance amino acids, calorie requirements and to add fiber for stool formulation.  Yes, carnivores do eat small amounts of plant matter from the stomachs of their prey which they generally consume entirely.

AFS fresh frozen and/or freeze-dried meat diets, fed successfully to captive exotic zoo carnivores for over two decades, contain no preservatives, need no additional supplements, promote healthy skin and coats, produce less stool and odor for easier clean up, help to produce large and healthy litters while mothers maintain excellent condition throughout the entire whelping cycle.  These are just a few benefits your favorite captive carnivore will enjoy while experiencing "The Magic of Meat". 

This can translate to Less Trips To a Health Care Clinic and most pleasurable way to raise happy, healthy, long living, captive meat eating companions at a truly reasonable cost--all cost factors considered.